Question

Which among the following is paramagnetic ?

• A. $C{l}_{2}O$
• B. $Cl{O}_2$
• C. $C{l}_2{O}_7$
• D. $C{l}_2{O}_6$

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

A species with one or more unpaired electron is paramagnetic.
No. of valence electrons in $C{l}_{2}O=7\times 2+6$
= 20 (even)
No. of valence electrons in $Cl{O}_2=7+6\times 2$
= 19 (odd)
No. of valence electrons in $C{l}_2{O}_7=7\times 2+6$
= 56 (even)
No. of valence electrons in $C{l}_2{O}_6=7\times 2+6\times 6$
= 5 (even)
Thus, $Cl{O}_2$ is expected to be paramagnetic